I’ve always been awed by the Apostle Paul. God chose this one-time persecutor of Christians to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire, a man eventually killed for his faith in the risen Christ.
Paul makes his first appearance in the Book of Acts. Known as Saul of Tarsus, a son of the tribe of Benjamin, he was present at the stoning of Stephen, a Christ follower:
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. (Acts 7:57 and 58)
It’s profoundly significant and ironic that Paul witnessed the death of someone Christians consider to be the first martyr. Imagine what believers at that time had gone through, how confused they must have been. The wise man they’d given up everything to follow was now dead, one of their own having betrayed him. Jesus had told the group of eleven (minus the betrayer) that after he died and rose from the grave to stay in Jerusalem. “[W]ait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1: 4 and 5)
As promised, the Holy Spirit descended upon the men. This was the time of Pentecost, so Jews from all over the known world were in Jerusalem to worship. They heard the Israelites speaking in their own languages and were confused about what was going on. The men were sharing the Gospel, as it were, empowered by the spirit of God to speak in foreign languages they didn’t know so all the people could understand.
As the number of believers grew, so did persecution against them. Saul led the charge and hounded Christians, hunting them down and throwing them in prison. That’s why what happened next is profoundly significant in its own right and ironic in light of his hatred toward believers.
Sometimes Christians talk about their “Damascus” experience, the moment they saw the light and believed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. This is a reference to Paul’s conversion. On his way to Damascus to capture and imprison more Christ followers, this is what happened:
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Paul did as he was told. Sometime later, “something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes,” and he began to preach Christ crucified, and the Jews he worked for now hunted after him. He tried to join the original disciples, but as expected, they were afraid and believed he was trying to trick them. I sometimes tear up when I think about that: a one-time persecutor of the group now wanted to be a part of the group. It’s awesome how God changes the heart.
So this was the beginning of Paul’s arduous journey, and he’d become one of the most prolific authors of Scripture as he wrote letters to the Christian churches. He preached in synagogues and eventually traveled throughout the Roman Empire spreading the Gospel. (See maps of his first, second, and third journeys.) Paul eventually was imprisoned and killed.
His letter to the Romans probably is the most important book in the New Testament. The book is short, but Paul teaches great truths about God’s grace and how Christians should live. For example, in Christ, people are no longer slaves to sin or the law, but live under grace. God’s judgment against sinners is righteous. God created government and appointed men over the people, so Christians should submit to the government by obeying the law, etc.
In Romans is where Paul said that believers were “more than conquerors” through Christ, able to withstand persecution because nothing can separate us from Christ’s love for us. Such thoughts leave me speechless.
For unbelievers, I suppose reading the Bible is like reading a piece of fiction or a collection of myths. The people are characters and the events merely part of the plot. But for those who believe the events really happened, and that God laid down the words for us and revealed himself in the pages of that book, the Bible is intimate. I can’t imagine a true believer reading it and not being moved by its beauty as God spoke through men and women of faith down through the ages. We are — I am — part of that family.
When I think about how unworthy I am of God’s grace, all I need to do is think of Paul’s miraculous conversion and how God used him. If God says a former persecutor of his people is worthy of his grace, then I suppose I am, too. 
[Clarification (1:47 p.m.): No matter how carefully or carelessly you blog, everything, and I mean everything, you write is subject to scrutiny and comment, whether major or minor. For instance, in response to my statement - “If God says a former persecutor of his people is worthy of his grace, then I suppose I am, too” - a commenter writes, “Paul was not ‘worthy of His grace’, and neither are you and neither am I. He chose to save us anyway, which makes it the more remarkable.”
As much as I’ve blogged about God’s grace and as often as I read the Bible, I’m fully aware it teaches that no one is worthy of God’s grace, as the Faith category makes clear. Why I wrote otherwise, I don’t know. Rushed blogging? But a slip of the public “pen” can bring loads of comments like that. So in an effort to head folks off at the pass, I ask you to read the statement for what it is: a clumsy way to say, “If God can use a man like Paul for such important work, he can use me for something important, too. 
]
Oh…by the way, archeologists may have found Paul’s remains. Whether true or not, I don’t think it matters. The “discovery” gives me and other believers an opportunity to share the Gospel.
(Painting: “The Conversion of Paul,” by Niccolò dell’Abbate)
Addendum: I wanted to say so much more about Paul, but I’m on my way out the door. Please disregard typos! They’ll be fixed later.
If you’ve blogged about the news of Paul’s remains, feel free to link-drop and trackback to this post.
Related posts:
Regarding Paul’s tomb, I really don’t see the value in digging it up for the sake of saying “that’s Paul’s tomb”. And the expressed purpose is a little disturbing to me.
from the article
As if we should worship on Paul’s bones? I mean come on, the crypt was already part of an alter as it was. Now people must see it during devotionals for an added spiritual boost? I think it raises the bones of a person who’s spirit is long gone to a level higher than should be granted.
And what’s the value of possibly opening the crypt? It’s not like Paul is going to jump out and write something. He’s gone and not coming back. (Until of course when the dead in Christ rise.)
The focus should be on God, as Paul himself expressed, not on some old bones regardless of who’s they are. They’re not Christ and should remain buried.
It’s not like some special burial process was used that requires examination for some educational purpose. Let Paul’s bones rest in peace.
Comment by Independent Conservative — 12.07.06 @ 8:47 am
“For unbelievers, I suppose reading the Bible is like reading a piece of fiction or a collection of myths.”
Hi Lashawn,
Apropros of notalot, I personally wouldn’t feel qualified to speak for all ‘unbelievers’in just the same way I wouldn’t speak for ‘believers’.
Some would call that ‘politically correct’, I consider it realistic.
Anyhoo, this particular ‘unbeliever’ (as so described by various Muslims and Christians) has seen no evidence to support that the Bible isn’t a a creation myth/theological concept built around some of the following:
A.Real events and real people.
and
B.Non-real events and non-real people.
I do wonder if one has to be an absolutist to be religious?
Is that an absolutist statement?
“Nurse!!…”
Regards,
JohnD
Comment by JohnD — 12.07.06 @ 9:18 am
Interesting Reading December 7, 2006
The Vatican is preparing a report on finding what is believed to be the sarcophagus of Paul the Apostle. If this is Paul’s sarcophagus, it makes an interesting find but should have no affect over all on the faith.
Trackback by Fire and Hammer — 12.07.06 @ 10:33 am
JohnD, you do seem to be concerned about your skepticism when it comes to religious faith.
Through the ages there have been many people with the same skepticism and some have written brilliantly and eloquently. Some have even started their own sects to satisfy their need for “editing” the Bible to be more palatable to skeptics like themselves.
Perhaps the skeptic would be best served by searching out the Christian virtues, studying them carefully and then practicing them faithfully. No church membership is required. No afterlife belief is necessary. And most true Christians would not condemn a person who followed the Christian path, but never accepted the faith.
Comment by Heliotrope — 12.07.06 @ 11:17 am
There is an importance in pointing out “Paul’s bones” if that is what they, in fact, turn out to be.
Moses’ tomb has his bones in them. So does King David’s. So does Mohammed’s. Paul’s tomb (whether this is it or not) has his tangible remains, awaiting the resurrection inside.
The tomb of Yeshua of Nazareth’s is empty.
When we do discover the ossuaries or the tombs of saints and other religious figures, there is an important message left behind in their remains: Paul is dead. Abraham is dead. Solomon is dead. Zoroaster is dead. Buddha is dead. Mohammed is dead.
Christ is alive.
Comment by Dan — 12.07.06 @ 11:23 am
Paul’s letter to the Romans is, without question, a great book, a great theological treatise and full of so much doctrine that it can be overwhelming. I find plenty in it that convicts, and plenty to remind me that “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus….”
But I don’t think his letter to the church at Galatia can be beat for clarifying the failures of living under the law, or the miracle of grace.
As for opening Paul’s crypt, I think Dan has made a most important point. Christ is alive; allelujah!
Comment by Vicki Small — 12.07.06 @ 12:11 pm
Thanks Heliotrope, but I’m not actually concerned about what you frame as my ’skepticism’, I was just literally (demonstrably) contributing to the discussion regarding an assumption about ‘unbelievers’ being of one mind about the roots/facts/myths of the Bible.
Regards,
JohnD.
Comment by JohnD — 12.07.06 @ 12:15 pm
“Oh…by the way, archeologists may have found Paul’s remains. Whether true or not, I don’t think it matters. The “discovery†gives me and other believers an opportunity to share the Gospel.”
~Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Comment by Mark La Roi — 12.07.06 @ 12:26 pm
La Shawn,
Paul was not “worthy of His grace”, and neither are you and neither am I. He chose to save us anyway, which makes it the more remarkable.
“There is none righteous, no not one.”
Chuck
Comment by Chuck — 12.07.06 @ 1:36 pm
Even in these comments this truth is demonstrated.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor 2:14
So we pray for men that the Lord would open blind eyes.
Chuck
Comment by Chuck — 12.07.06 @ 1:53 pm
Additional celestial metaphors;
He is the light of the world
His face shown like the Sun
Paul declares that Jesus is the Christ, Christi, Kristos, KRS (Egyptian)
On December 25, the light returns to the world because the days lengthen on that date; the earth tilts back toward (RA)the sun; (the sun starts northward)
Jesus, an anthropomorphism of the Sun
Comment by Colophon — 12.07.06 @ 2:55 pm
In my morning musings through the blogosphere, I came across La Shawn Barber’s post: The Apostle Paul’s Grave? Apparently, Vatican archaeologists have discovered a sarcophagus containing what they believe to be the remains of the Apostle Paul under Rome’s second largest basillica. La Shawn said, in my opinion quite rightly: Oh…by the way, archeologists may have found Paul’s remains. Whether true or not, I don’t think it matters. The “discovery†gives me and other believers an opportunity to share the Gospel.
Pingback by The Thomas Chronicles — 12.07.06 @ 2:59 pm
Dan said:
“Paul’s bones†if that is what they, in fact, turn out to be.
Moses’ tomb has his bones in them. So does King David’s. So does Mohammed’s. Paul’s tomb (whether this is it or not) has his tangible remains, awaiting the resurrection inside.
The tomb of Yeshua of Nazareth’s is empty.
When we do discover the ossuaries or the tombs of saints and other religious figures, there is an important message left behind in their remains: Paul is dead. Abraham is dead. Solomon is dead. Zoroaster is dead. Buddha is dead. Mohammed is dead.
Christ is alive.”
In the case of the 2001 movie titled, The Body, the tomb where Jesus was supposed to have been buried was not empty. Instead, there is a body there in the tomb that possessed the wounds of a crucification. The movie plays out the consequences a priest, played by Antonio Banderas, who is losing his faith because of this “discoveryâ€. What if this hadn’t been just a movie but the front page of today’s news? What then?
I think caution and a dose of skepticism is in order in dealing with such subject matters…
Comment by Thomas Nguyen — 12.07.06 @ 3:07 pm
I have heard that God’s mercy is greater in sum than all of the evil in the world. That is truly powerful. Because anyone who is like me knows that you don’t truly understand the power of Christs redemption until you REALLY need it.
Comment by Patrick — 12.07.06 @ 3:36 pm
I read a paraphrased version of your testimony to my prison study group last week. I am a free facilitator. Thank you for your open Christianity. We are encourageing these imprisoned men to openly acknowlege their faith and share Jesus without fear. I plan to use the “Paul remains” story as you stated - an opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ.
That’s wonderful, Stan! It’s quite humbling to know that. Thanks for reading.
- Admin
Comment by Stan Campbell — 12.07.06 @ 3:40 pm
I think I understand your instinct re grace. I would put the thought like this: it’s surprising that, notwithstanding my extreme vileness, God would choose to pour out his grace on me.
But this just illustrates the tremendous “graciness” of God’s grace.
Comment by ScurvyOaks — 12.07.06 @ 3:41 pm
I understand about grace, but we are also commanded to keep his commandments and not to partake of the sacriment (bread and wine) unworthily. As long as we remain pentinent and rely on the atonement, He makes us worthy. We need not be ‘afraid’ or ‘apologetic’ for using the word. He Himself used it often.
I was going to cite chapter and verse, but there are far too many. Find an on-line Bible resource and do a search of that word. It’ll will be fun and insiteful reading!
Comment by Joy — 12.08.06 @ 6:01 am
La Shawn Barber looks at St. Paul.
Pingback by Basil's Blog — 12.08.06 @ 7:12 am
Thomas Nguyen, there have been many conspiracy theories floated around over the centuries.
Just because someone makes up a fictional account doesn’t mean that there is any value in it. At the Pentecost, Peter preaches to Jerusalem and mentions that David’s bones still lie in his grave (”Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day”) and they knew where that grave was, but Jesus’ tomb was empty. Now at that time, this was a verifiable fact. And yet we have no record of anyone saying “look, here is Jesus’ tomb and there is a corpse in it.”
This among other testimonies from the Bible were what convicted me that indeed Christ died on the cross and rose on the third day and is even now at the right hand of God.
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 8:14 am
But that is not what I wanted to post. I wanted to agree that there is no religious significance in Paul’s grave except that, if it is his grave, it has great historical significance. Paul himself said that he (Paul) was not to be worshiped.
But I was in Israel many years ago while in the Navy and when you walk streets that Jesus walked, or Paul, Peter, John, etc., it does “to get to you.”
I wish I could go back there today, at this point in my walk of faith, and feel that feeling.
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 8:19 am
Revelation only comes by the Holy Spirit, and just like the men on the day of Pentecost, I pray the Holy Spirit would give us Believers the “tongues” to be able to speak to the unbeliever. Until then, let us continue living the life before them.
Comment by tyendor — 12.08.06 @ 8:20 am
Biblical Burial
Vatican officials are now reporting the remains of St. Paul may have been found. The Vatican is traditionally apposed to destructive testing, like those done for radiocarbon dating. I wonder, however, if they’ll have the same opposition to non-destru…
Trackback by amcgltd — 12.08.06 @ 8:55 am
A little over two years ago God changed my heart. He opened my eyes and ears and I will never be the same again. Thank you Jesus!!
Comment by L Young — 12.08.06 @ 10:32 am
At the vernal equinox, the Sun (at noon) is in the same position for 2 days (dead); on the third day the Sun moves (resurrects) and passes over the equator (Passover).
On December 25, the amount of daylight will increase; the birth of the Sun from the loins of the constellation Virgo.
Again, Sun worship.
This among other testimonies from the Bible were what convicted me that indeed Christ died on the cross and rose on the third day and is even now at the right hand of God.
Any god with a chosen people, is a bigot.
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 8:14 am
Comment by Colophon — 12.08.06 @ 12:22 pm
What did Paul get for serving selfishly, competently, and dangerouly for his loving, just, powerful, and righteous God La Shawn?
I believe it was the same treatment as Jesus, only upside down…..wasn’t it.
Jesus and Paul were awesome men and awesome leaders with an awesome message of lowe. Civilization owes them and their fearless sacrifice a huge debt of gratitude, as well as all those who wrote about Jesus’s kindness, humanity, and bravery….who many also got unbelivable barbaric tortureous treatment from their god for it.
As we see today, the same thing occurs with regular frequency. Good people being tortured before death at the hands of others. Is this the kind of God are we really to worship La Shawn?
Respectively,
Jim
Comment by Jim R — 12.08.06 @ 12:27 pm
‘lowe’ should be ‘love’.
Comment by Jim R — 12.08.06 @ 12:29 pm
‘Respectively’ should be ‘Respectfully’…geeze.
Comment by Jim R — 12.08.06 @ 12:33 pm
Mr. Benm,
With all due respect, I was not advocating a “conspiracy theory”. To clarify, my point is we should be careful in what we venerate… Is it to be history or the Living Christ?
Many people refer to history almost in the place of God. Such as, “History will judge us…” or “They are on the wrong side of History…” or “He’s concerned about his place in History.” As though History (with a capital “H”) is the measure and worth of our lives. What ever happened to having our sense of worth from the fact that we are all immortal beings made in God’s very own image?
My point is if we use history to prove Christianity’s truth, then our true Enemy could try to use history to disprove our faith. Once we place History in higher regard than our faith, we place our faith in peril because History is now sitting in judgment of both God and Man.
My example of the movie, The Body, is simply to illustrate a point. Does it really matter what the archaeologist unearth even if it pertains to our faith’s history throughout the ages? Should what the busy archaeologists dig up change or modify our faith?
The answer is a resounding, No.
Mr. Benm, you said, “Just because someone makes up a fictional account doesn’t mean that there is any value in it.”
With all due respect, there is a great deal of value in examining these kinds of questions. First of all, we are a society that places great stock in science and history. Secondly, historically speaking, our scientific and historical discoveries have shaped and revised our view of the world around us time and again, Ptolemy and Einstein to give a couple of examples.
The real question, I think, posed by that movie is, What if science and history were turned against Christianity whether by design or freak accident? Should these kinds of “discoveries” shape and revise our faith just as other discoveries revise our view of the world?
Again, my answer would be a resounding, No.
I do not believe in our Lord Jesus Christ because the fact that He Is can be proven empirically through facts and logical deductions, as if belief consists of evidence gathered like a court trial. That to me is silly when we are talking about God.
Comment by Thomas Nguyen — 12.08.06 @ 12:51 pm
Colophon, I am sorry that I don’t understand your post, so I cannot intelligently respond. If you are saying that Christianity is Sun worship, I say that it is not. It is Son Worship. No (or probably more accurately - very few) biblical scholars believe Jesus was born on or near December 25. Most believe it was in the fall. We (Christians) celebrate Jesus’ birth daily. As far as the Passover being coincident with the equinox, so what? Many religious holidays are based upon the calendar the ancients used, how could it be otherwise?
As far as God having a chosen people, well the Jews were chosen by God to be a priesthood. He chastened them (like the post after yours) and has tried repeatably over the centuries to bring them to himself. Not a “chosen” people that many would choose to be. Not a “chosen” people like the Nazi’s believed themselves to be, but truly God meant them to serve all mankind. Including you.
Jim, no it was Peter who was crucified upside down (from tradition, his death was not recorded in the Bible). But he died a good death. We all die sometime. don’t we. Just as we all suffer, Christian and non-Christian alike, the difference is, as followers of Christ, we suffer and die for a purpose. The gospel has been spread by the shedding of Christian’s blood. It is in that way that we live out our faith and demonstrate to the world that we have something worth dying for.
When Christians have gone astray (and they have repeatably) and tried to shed other people’s blood (i.e., the Crusades, the conquest of the New World under the Spanish), the body of Christ has suffered. But during the times of great persecution, the body of Christ flourishes (by the way, I believe we are entering into a time like that now).
But if you ask me, or rather if God commands me to lay down my own life for His Glory, I will go to my death praising Him and thanking Him that I was found worthy. So yes, He is the kind of God I want to worship.
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 1:07 pm
Mr. Nguyen, thanks for the clarification. I agree with most of what you say. I misunderstood your earlier post.
I too, do not believe that Jesus is who He said He is because of historical evidence. I believe because He chose me to believe. My earlier point, probably not well fleshed out, was that it was in reading the accounts in Acts and in thinking about the implications of those accounts, such as Peter’s speech on the day of Pentecost, that the Bible became real to me and I could no longer ignore the Truth.
-Ben
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 1:15 pm
I’ve always known you to be a great writer, but when you write stuff like this article, you’re at your best!!!
Luv ya,
Shannon
Comment by Shannon McCoy — 12.08.06 @ 1:54 pm
And he said, Cursed be Ham; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
Some Biblical scholars see the “curse of Ham” story as an early Hebrew rationalization for Israel’s conquest and enslavement of the Canaanites, who were presumed to descend from Ham.
The “curse of Ham” has been used by some members of Abrahamic religions to justify racism and the enslavement of people of African ancestry, who were thought to be descendants of Ham (often called Hamites)
Your explication benm; chosen people indeed.
Did not Jesus tell the Canaanite woman that he’d the dogs prior to feeding her. Straight up Hebrew racism.
Comment by Colophon — 12.08.06 @ 2:15 pm
You are correct when you say the Chosen people abused their position. That is why they were carried away into captivity. The amazing thing about the Bible is that it is brutally honest about the faults of the patriarchs. The fact that they (the Israelites) were faithless is compared and contrasted with the faithfulness of God. And this is good news to us, for even when we were enemies of God, He still loved us and sought after us.
Jesus’ point to the woman was two-fold. 1. He came first to the Jews (and many of them were to ultimately reject him). 2. His response allowed her to display her faith (to those around them). Remember, He healed her child, she went away satisfied. Was that an act of racism?
Comment by benm — 12.08.06 @ 2:32 pm
One of the things that inspires awe in me concerning St. Paul is that he was the Himmler, the chief persecutor, of the Christians at that time.
Christ specifically chose St. Paul to be His Apostle BECAUSE he was the greatest sinner of age. St. Paul then goes on to be the great Lion of God, the Apostle that delivered the Good News to the Gentiles, and the most prolific writer in the New Testament.
This to me speaks volumes…
Comment by Thomas Nguyen — 12.08.06 @ 2:55 pm
2. His response allowed her to display her faith (to those around them).
What is this, if this lowly Canaanite believes then the rest of you should too?
Some scholars call this religion Paulianity since Paul extends (the Egyptian KRS) Christ to the gentile. Initially, gentiles had to convert to Judaism prior to becoming KRStians. Seems that Jesus himself did not have everyone in mind.
Comment by Colophon — 12.09.06 @ 9:12 am
#35 Colophon: What exactly are you implying with all your references to sun worship?
I ask, because the state of creation myth religion in the Near East and Egypt in the time of Moses and the time of Jesus are worlds apart.
Comment by Heliotrope — 12.09.06 @ 12:39 pm
#36 Heliotrope
Acts 7:22
“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. (NASB ©1995)
http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/negative_confessions/index.html
http://www.maatinus.com/Nguzo%20Saba/negative.htm
Comment by Colophon — 12.09.06 @ 8:03 pm
#37 Colophon: Thank you for the links, they are not new to me. Nor is Acts 7:22 a stranger.
Your comments and references are enigmatic. Would you care to state what you believe and how your beliefs relate to LaShawn’s post? Without expressing your belief system with clarity and purpose, I am afraid your comments references are but dust in the wind.
Comment by Heliotrope — 12.10.06 @ 3:24 pm
Lest we forget - there was also St. Augustine in that mix of “great sinners into great saints”. Actually, they’ve kind of always been my personal favorites - I tend to prefer a fully rounded saint to some insipid “always the good girl/guy” type of saint! I guess I believe people should have to work hard for all their accomplishments?
Comment by Gayle Miller — 12.11.06 @ 3:41 pm
La Shawn
Yes Paul is wonderful example to us all of Gods Saving Mercy. In my study of Scripture I have noticed many times, that many of the Greatest messages from God; come from the least likely source. Paul one of the chief persecutors of Christians becomes one of greatest Christians of all time. Not unlike the stone the builders rejecting becoming the cornerstone. How about the first people to recognize Jesus had risen from the dead were women. Back in those days women were like property and their testimony in a court of law was unacceptable. Their personal testimony would not be believed. Yet they were the first to see and to believe and to report the resurrection. How about the the woman calling out Jesus son of David have pity on me. Jesus and the disciples ignored here but she called on all the more and louder. So the disciples asked Jesus to do something about her because she wouldn’t shut up. Jesus said to her I have come for the children of the lost house of Israel. But she persisted begging please Lord please. Jesus rebukes her again this time saying it is not right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs! Yet she still persists…saying yes Lord but even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters table. Finally Jesus grants her a blessing. Or how about the Roman centurion who’s slave was very ill. As you probably know Jews back in those days could not associate with Romans and they could not even have them in their home. So a Roman centurion who was Christian sent messengers to Christ asking him to come heal his servant. The Christian messengers he sent pleaded with Jesus to come and heal the slave saying he is a believer and he even built our synagogue for us and he deserves to have you do this for him. Jesus said I will come. While only a short distance from the Roman house the Centurion sent new messengers to Jesus to tell him Lord please don’t trouble yourself further. I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof and this is why I did not come to you, but please Lord just say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority. I say to one come here and he comes or to another go and he goes, or to my slave do this and he does it. Jesus exclaimed at that point that though out all of Israel he had not seen such faith. Up to that point everyone seemed to believe that Jesus needed to do something to bring back the dead or cure someone…he had to touch them or do something physical. Here a non Jew and Roman to boot was the first to realize the immense authority Christ had and Christ credits him with the strongest faith he had seen. Finally Peter himself walked on the water and was with Christ all the time yet he still managed to deny Christ three times in one day. Yes the Apostles were sinful people just like you and I. But when push came to shove they stood up remarkably well. What a rich faith we have
God Bless
Mark Nasche
Comment by Mark Nasche — 12.12.06 @ 5:46 pm
Comment by Heliotrope — 12.10.06 @ 3:24 pm
AMEN, or should I say AMEN - RA.
Revelation 3:14
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The AMEN, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (NASB ©1995)
Comment by Colophon — 12.12.06 @ 7:19 pm
#41 Colophon:
The shoes on the ceiling are full of bananas. But, my aunt’s donkey which is about to vomit can not hear himself bray.
Comment by Heliotrope — 12.12.06 @ 10:01 pm
Forgive my saying this without spending more time to think it out. Your comments on Paul struck me in a way I had not expected, as I have admired him greatly also. I did not want to lose the thought and I do not have someone around to play it off of.
If you put a greater weight on the words of Paul than on the words of Christ which one do you worship? It is insufficient to say that Paul’s words are about Christ. If his writings are of greater significance to me than the words of Christ, which which one has a greater focus for me?
We are not saved by grace. We are saved by the atonement. Can the concept of grace without the action of Christ’s atonement save us? No more than obedience to the laws given through Moses could without the fact of the atonement.
After reading the rest of the scriptures a lot in the last years I realized it has been some time since I had read the gospels straight through. I decided to do so now. I was surprised at how much more power the words of Christ had for me. I was surprised at the reverence I felt as I began the 26th chapter of Matthew.
“And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.”
Comment by David Merrell — 12.14.06 @ 1:15 am